Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah will deliver a major address tomorrow (Tuesday August 3, 2010) on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the July War. The address will begin at 20:30 Beirut time (17:30 GMT).
It is widely expected that Nasrallah will address the issue of STL indictments and that he will reveal the “new information” about them that he promised in two earlier addresses (see my commentaries here and here). One imagines that he might discuss what took place in the meetings between the STL investigators and the Hizbullah members called in for questioning, and once again bring up the issue of false witnesses that he has discussed in the past.
On the other hand, there’s a significant possibility that this speech will not be nearly as aggressive as earlier ones, in anticipation of a possible settlement over the STL. (This is, at least, what this report about Nabih Berri’s meeting with Nasrallah suggests to me.)
At any rate, it should make for a very interesting evening.
Depending on the quality of the online feed, I plan to comment on the speech in real time. Stay tuned.
**
9:09: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (SHN) has begun speaking. He will discuss what happened today on the border, the STL indictments, and the July War.
9:16: Issuing a tribute to the Lebanese Army and the soldiers who were killed today.
9:21: Directly addressing all the questions that will arise from today’s incident. “Is the Hizb trying to create a problem, etc.?” People with bad intentions will try to ask these kinds of questions.
9:24: SHN: “The Israeli hand that stretches toward the Lebanese Army will be cut off by the Resistance.”
9:26: SHN is now discussing the issue of cluster bombs in South Lebanon. 200,000 have been removed and one million remain.
9:30: Discussing Israeli spies in Lebanon. SHN: “One hundred have been discovered in the country so far. How many more are there?”
9:32: SHN calls for Israeli spies to be put to death.
9:34: SHN: “Some in Lebanon talk about the need for a defense strategy. What about a liberation strategy for those territories that we all agree are part of our land? [i.e. Shebaa Farms, Kfar Shouba, Ghajar, etc.]”
9:36: SHN: “We all heard the Israeli General Ashkenazi report that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would indict Hizbullah members.”
9:39: SHN: We welcomed the Saudi-Syrian visit to Lebanon, and we look forward to Ahmadinejad’s visit after Eid al-Fitr.
9:41: SHN: We all want the truth, and we reject politicizing the Tribunal. We want justice and we want to protect our country and civil peace.
9:42: SHN: “I had promised you a press conference, and I will hold it on next Monday, August 9th.” (This is the second part of the promised two-part series.) “The first part of the press conference will deal with our accusation against Israel that it carried out the assassination of PM Rafiq al-Hariri.”
9:46: SHN: In the press conference of August 9th at 8:30PM, I will present evidence that Israel killed Hariri. I will reveal an important secret about the Resistance’s efforts to prove that Israel was responsible for the murder.
9:49: SHN: We are prepared to present evidence to the Lebanese government that demonstrates Israel’s guilt. And we are capable of discovering the real culprit.
9:52: SHN has completed discussing the Tribunal. I will stop transcribing here…
10:11: SHN: If the Israelis want to believe that we have an air defense or not, let them believe what they want. We are not going to reveal anything.
Qifa Nabki 
Ok QN…I’m dying with anticipation!!!
Posted by danny | August 2, 2010, 9:20 pmNothing new under the sun. Nasrallah will bash the STL with information of the “he says she says” kind that cannot be verified. Those that tend to believe will while the others will remain skeptical.
Posted by AIG | August 2, 2010, 10:31 pmIs it “deja vu all over again?”
Posted by Honest Patriot | August 3, 2010, 2:07 amWhere do you guys watch his speeches real-time (if you don’t have access to Manar TV). If it’s not being shown on Jazeera, I have to resort to Manar’s website and that so often has a high-pitched, brain-destroying background noise…so I just wait until it’s up on youtube.
Press TV normally covers it but that’s in translation.
Any ideas/suggestions?
Posted by SK | August 3, 2010, 5:04 amClashes have erupted between the Lebanese and Israeli armies in South Lebanon.
What a way to steal the thunder from Nasrallah’s speech.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 7:23 amYa QN,
On the contrary – now HN has even more ammunition for tonight. Even Lebanese usually not overly sympathetic to him will be open to his persuasion. The Izzies couldn’t’ve provided him with a better gift …
Posted by MSK* | August 3, 2010, 8:02 amRather it will add to Nasrallah’s thunder.
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 8:02 amHow would it add to Nasrallah’s thunder? It would give him ammunition to rail against Israel and combine it to STL in his strange spin for the sheeple. However; this steals the thunder because it proved that LAF didn’t cut bait and run or hide behind the UNIFIL’s skirt at the smallest provocation! It proves LAF soldiers are more than committed and able to defend their country without the illegal militia’s presence.
Posted by danny | August 3, 2010, 8:43 amAs a former soldier I would shoot the Lebanese politicians that approved this incident especially if it was to steal Nasrallah’s thunder. Having 3 of my friends die for this cynical ploy? Hundreds of time Israel does the same thing and the Lebanese army does nothing. The activity is monitored by the UN and the Lebanese Army is informed. And they send these poor Lebanese soldiers on a suicide mission on the day of Narallah’s speech? How low can you go.
Any politician that uses such means is already a big loser and deserves to rot in jail.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 9:16 amDoes this not present Nasrallah with an opportunity to speak to the unity of cause behind the army and the muqawama in confronting Israel? Both are recognised by the government as legitimate (ministerial statement, so HA is not formally seen as an illegal militia).
You would imagine he would seize on that?
Posted by SK | August 3, 2010, 10:40 amAIG,
I do not know the full details and I am not in favour of military solutions to the smallest conflicts but to justify an incursion across a border by saying that it has been done hundresds of times before is not an acceptable justification . The accounts that I have read say that as the IDF was putting up some surveillance cameras they decided that a tree on the Lebanese side of the border blocks part of the view and so they send a group of soldiers to uproot the tree on the Lebanese side of the border. That is unacceptable.
Let us reverse the situation, would the Israel allow a small group of Lebanese soldiers to uproot a tree on the Israeli side of the border? I very much doubt it.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 10:46 amEisenkot just confirmed that two Israeli officers were hit. The Lebanese army started shooting at Israelis in Israeli territory. It was a sniper ambush. The Lebanese knew the Israelis were coming because Israel informed the UN a few hours before that they will going there. About an hour after the first incident, the Lebanese army requested a cease fire to remove wounded and dead, during which Lebanese shot 4 RPGs at an Israeli tank and missed.
Something is not rational in the Lebanese decision making.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 10:51 amGK,
The Israelis did not cross the border. You are falling for propaganda.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 10:54 amThe IDF radio just reported that an Israeli reserve officer aged 45 was killed. He was Lt. Col. and head of a reservist engineering battalion. He was shot while standing near an Israeli outpost that is occasionally occupied, very clearly in Israeli territory.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:10 amGhassan.
Another American Israeli Guy has just demonstrated the peculiar Zionist belief that their enemies have no rights when it comes to sovereign borders, resistance or retaliation. If Another American Israeli Guy had ever served in the military of his country of origin, he would have a different perspective on such things.
I fault my own government for reinforcing this exceptionalist mindset and anticipate that, as per usual, the greatest democracy in the history of the universe will once again protect the Entity @ the UN.
BTW, MSNBC has this photo of the IDF crane w/arborist aboard here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38534293/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 11:15 amAIG,
Your use of the word “propaganda” reminds me of the Arabs’ use of the word “Zionist”… Do I understand that you hold the absolute truth and are aware of the facts whereas any other media outlet or other observer are always subject to propaganda?
This is a general remark and not one limited to this scenario. As I respect your reason and logic, please ensure to apply same logic and skepticism to the acts, statements, policies, politics, intentions and deeds of Israel, the US and basically any side not Arab, Turkish or Iranian.
As a former soldier, you should be well aware that Israel’s political decision making process, especially as it concerns military actions in Lebanon, has been nothing if not irrational. To deny them (Israeli media) the capability of offering you some “propaganda” would be unfair from your part.
Looking forward to HN’s now weekly Chavez Hour.
Posted by Guest | August 3, 2010, 11:22 amLally,
The Lebanese clearly made a foolish mistake that could have thrown the two countries into war. Instead of learning the lessons from this incident and trying to make sure it doesn’t repeat, you are praising the results! As I said, I fail to see Lebanese rationality at play here.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:28 amOh, and the tree the soldier is cutting is clearly in Israel. Depending on the area, the border is at least 10 if not 100 meters from the Israeli border fence.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:31 amAAIG.
Your government spokesmodels are known to be shameless liars and so what if the dead IDF soldier was on the Israeli side of the border? Is that supposed to mean something ?The LAF & civilian dead were on the Lebanese side of the border.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 11:31 amAIG #14,
I fail to see the point. The fallen Israeli officer was in Israeli territory as the fallen Lebanese soldiers were in Lebanese territory. They were shot and killed on Lebanese land.
Pictures clearly show that the blue line was breached, even if for a minor violation. We yet have to hear from the UNIFIL regarding who was notified at what point in time and how it all started.
Posted by Guest | August 3, 2010, 11:32 amlally,
Thanks for the link and the picture. In this case the picture is worth 100000 words. No way to spin this!!! But I am afraid that you might be right about the US representative at the UN. I hope though that the current administration will use this incident to look like an honest broker.
The Israeli arrogance to think that they can send an “arborist” into Lebanese territory whenever they choose is difficult to fathom.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 11:32 amAIG,
Please explain the fence and border the border situation so that we understand how the tree is “clearly” in Israel.
Posted by Guest | August 3, 2010, 11:35 amGK,
There is nothing to spin. The Israeli fence does not demarcate the border. The soldier is cutting a tree in Israel.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:37 amLally,
If you want a war, go ahead and start one. If you shoot people on our side of the border, we will retaliate and shoot people on your side.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:38 amGK,
Let’s bet $10,000 that the tree the soldier is cutting is on the Israeli side of the border. Are you up to the challenge? We will let QN decide, I trust him. Put your money where your mouth is.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 11:40 amAIG,
I am not risk averter by nature but in this case I better wait until further clarifications are issued. If the soldier/arborist turns out to be on the Israeli side then I would be the first to admit to my rush to judgement and I will have to eat crow.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 11:47 amAAIG.
I’m not “praising” anyone, you silly.
But, as an American, I do understand the revolutionary fervor that wrested control from the oppressor in order to achieve independence. You see AAIG, it’s also part and parcel of the American zeitgeist to side with the REAL underdogs. We (the people, NOT the government) also believe in an even playing field with the rules applying equally to all parties concerned. Although most Zionists, even the American versions thereof can’t seem to grok those concepts, they underpin much of our nationalist pride.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 11:55 amLally,
So the US is not a democracy? The government does not represent the will of people? The American people have supported the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, in fact they voted for a second Bush term after the wars started! And let me see. Ah yes, the underdogs in Iraq and Afghanistan were the Americans, that is why you support them.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 12:01 pmAAIG.
Since when is QN an expert on border demarcations? Or are you simply doing some pre-emptive a$$ bussing?
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 12:02 pmBoth Lebanese and Israelis consider the incident over and “without tomorrow.”* Let us go back to QN’s remark about the timing and the “thunder” of tonight’s speech.
Everyone is “standing behind” the army now –and against the Israeli aggression–including the LF! Don’t you find it curious that an Al-Akhbar reporter was one of the dead! Anyone knows what he was working on?!
* Reuters: “Le commandement israélien du front libanais, le général Gadi Eisenkot, a dit avoir reçu de l’état-major libanais une demande en faveur d’un retour au statu quo ante et il a déclaré croire que l’incident serait “sans lendemain”.
Posted by Parrhesia | August 3, 2010, 12:05 pmAAIG.
Er….Thanks to our thoroughly rotted MSM, a majority of the American populace also believed Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11 and had WMD’s. Let’s not go THERE on this forum.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 12:10 pm“Incident sans lendemain”.. sauf pour lui et sa famille :
http://www.al-akhbar.com/ar/node/200776
Peace be upon them.
Posted by quelqu'une | August 3, 2010, 12:15 pmLally,
So is the US a democracy if the people are dumb and the media corrupt? If that is the case, why are you proud to be an American at all? According to your view you are just a herd of stupid sheep easily manipulated by a few Zionists. And may I remind you that this “manipulation” has been going on for decades and according to you, your fellow Americans are so dumb that they still have not caught on! What a pathetic country you live in.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 12:17 pmThis is the stupidest kind of brinkmanship and in my mind puts in doubt the rationality of the Lebanese actors. Now, all that is needed is one Lebanese soldier taking a shot at another Israeli to start a serious conflagration.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 12:23 pmParrhesia # 30 asks :
“Don’t you find it curious that an Al-Akhbar reporter was one of the dead! Anyone knows what he was working on?!”
Since the guy was a reporter, well, he was reporting.
In other terms : he was doing his job – that deserves respect, not stupid questions.
Posted by quelqu'une | August 3, 2010, 12:32 pmAIG said: “We will let QN decide, I trust him.”
I will have to consult my top secret maps of the border between Lebanese and its neighbors before I adjudicate between AIG and Ghassan.
$10,000 eh? Maybe we should turn this blog into a gambling site.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 12:35 pmQN,
I meant that you could decide based on further reports that will come out, not your expertise on borders.
There is nothing funny here with at least 5 families suffering when there was no need for anyone to suffer. The Israeli officer killed could have been me and the reporter killed could have been you. The Lebanese better figure out how this happened and make sure it does not happen again. Going nationalistic is all very nice, but you know, wars do not usually end well.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 12:45 pmAIG
Why are you convinced that it was the Lebanese army’s fault?
Let’s wait and see what’s what.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 12:47 pmAAIG.
I don’t respond to conjured-up versions of my words and/or thoughts no matter how creative they are. Don’t waste your time by employing this tactic as you’ll get bupkis in response.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 12:50 pmOne of the reports clearly shows the israelies were approaching the lebanese border fence and not in Israel:
The exchange of fire on the northern border started as IDF forces were engaging in routine operations in a border-area enclave in Israeli territory. The troops were focusing on clearing bushes along the border fence.
The IDF says the operation was undertaken in coordination with the Lebanese army. However, al-Jazeera’s correspondent in Beirut Ghassan Bin Jido said the Lebanon army rejected the IDF’s request to operate in the area two days earlier.
Around 10:30 am Tuesday, an IDF force comprising 10-15 soldiers approached the Lebanon border fence, where it encountered Lebanese soldiers who ordered the Israeli troops to turn back.
Several minutes later, Lebanese troops opened fire at the IDF force, which immediately responded by firing back. Three Lebanese soldiers and a local journalist were apparently killed at that point.
Posted by elsheikh | August 3, 2010, 12:56 pmLally,
In short you give up quickly when the evident contradictions in your childish ideology is brought to light.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 12:56 pmQuelqu’une,
Is there a possibility that the presence of the press and the expected speech later on by Syed Nasrallah and this unusual incidence were not purelt coincident. Each side in Lebanon is using this development to strengthen its position; one side claim that this shows the real intentions of the Israelis and thus the need for the resistance while the others are describing this incident as the heroic courageous stand of an army that has demonstrated its willingness to sacrifice….
I hope that this was not preplanned but one must ask the question.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 12:58 pmQuelqu’une: I understand that emotions are part of reacting to the loss of lives of others.
I was asking what “story” was Rahal working on; i.e., what was he “reporting” on specifically. Asking questions and investigating situations is much more respectful than silence and blind acceptance.
But the question was not meant as judgmental; he could have been visiting his son, or just hanging out. But why was he there, at the moment when all this happened (whether he was there dead or alive, is another matter)!
Too much emotions, whether AIG’s or others’, are a sign of projection and deflection.
Best,
Posted by Parrhesia | August 3, 2010, 12:58 pmQN,
I am sure it was the Lebanese Army’s fault because I know the Israeli army well. Nobody is going to send a reservist engineering unit to do anything remotely conceived as dangerous or likely to create a fire fight, such as crossing the border into Lebanon. This was a completely routine operation coordinated before hand with the UN.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 1:03 pmParrhesia,
Naturally, as a human being the events affect me emotionally. However, if you think emotion is clouding my judgement, point out the incorrect argument instead of making generalizations.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 1:06 pmAnother journalist from Al-Manar was injured. Here’s from the press release of Reporters without Borders:
“Assaf Abu Rahal, a journalist working for the daily Al-Akhbar, was killed and Al-Manar TV reporter Ali Chouaybwas wounded when an Israeli tank opened fire at around midday today in the village of Adaisseh in southern Lebanon (about 30 km east of the coastal town of Tyre).
According to the information obtained by Reporters Without Borders, the Israel Defence Forces and the Lebanese army exchanged shots after an Israeli unit crossed the border into Lebanon in order to tear down a tree and install a surveillance camera.
The two journalists, who were hit while trying to cover the Israeli incursion from a Lebanese army roadblock, were clearly identified as media personnel. Rahal was killed on the spot. Three Lebanese soldiers and two Israeli soldiers were also reportedly killed.”
Posted by Parrhesia | August 3, 2010, 1:14 pmGadi Eisenkot, the head of IDF Northern Command and biggest proponent of the Dahiya option knows damn well that those under his command are not ready for escalation. He also knows that HA and perhaps, the LAF, are.
The IDF, like every other modern military force, is fully aware that the ponderous machine requires that huge resources be in place in order to mount operations. The IDF reliance on reservists instead of a professional army only exacerbates the challenge for Israel. The fact that military strategists the world over acknowledge HA as the most formidable fighting force of it’s kind is another factor that inhibits an army loathe to expose it’s soldiers to the fierce resistance of those unafraid to die for their home turf.
Next time ’round, the LAF WILL be fully engaged alongside HA; a development that has the Israelis concerned enough to complain to the US and France about the co-operation between the two Lebanese defense forces.
Under the present circumstances, I would think Nasrallah would be doing some editing of his speech.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 1:20 pmPlease spare us your utter stupidities about the criminal occupation army that you seem to know. We know them more than you and they are merely coward terrorists. New TV have shown it all in details. One can see the sequence on Tayyar’s site:
http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/multimedia/photos/photoalbum.htm?AID=25676&FAV=false&PID=1&MVD=&LUP=
As for Parrhesia, your question about the journalist’s death is not innocent and you think you are funny or clever. You have not an once of self-respect and dignity.
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 1:20 pmAAIG.
I fully expect you to claim victory while pissing into the wind. After years of dealing with such unoriginal tactics, I am more than familiar and bored with this silly MO.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 1:29 pmThe feed does not seem to be available on the Manar website.
Anyone have an alternative?
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 1:31 pmAIG,
I have a question for you. Do American media organizations in Israel follow (or, have to follow) the Israeli military censor? I have often suspected that the NYTimes does, but never can be sure. What’s the relevant law here? Thanks.
Posted by david | August 3, 2010, 1:34 pmDavid,
yes, they all follow the military sensor or are kicked out of the country. Even aljazeera follows it when it is allowed to report under zionist jurisdiction (of course, they are kicked out when there are sensitive things to be reported).
AIG,
Maybe Lebanon should level all of Israel the way Israel did n 2006? Is that the proper response to a “cross border raid” ?
Posted by Joe M. | August 3, 2010, 1:50 pmDavid,
Of course, any organization that wants to report from Israel has to accept the censor guidelines. The guidelines are very narrow though. Only information that can directly endanger life can be censored. Anything more, requires a court order. Also, it is customary for all the press to respect the families of casualties and not report about them before the families are notified.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 1:51 pmQN,
Try mtv.com.lb…They have it on broadband
Posted by danny | August 3, 2010, 1:52 pmDanny,
MTV works for me, but I don’t know if they’re carrying the speech.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 1:54 pmNever mind. They say that they’re going to carry it after all.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 1:55 pmJoe M.,
You are full of it. Al Jazeera can report from Israel because Israel is a democracy and we respect freedom of the press. Can an Israeli report freely from one of your favorite countries, Iran or Syria?
As for 2006, you mean it was not a HA victory? I am now confused. Why would you worry since you won the war and obviously think you will win the next one. Remember your indoctrination, each war brings the Arabs closer to victory.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 1:57 pmGotta LOVE the pro-LAF music clips on MTV … 😉
Posted by MSK* | August 3, 2010, 2:01 pmhttp://www.aljazeera.net
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 2:10 pmCould it be an honest mistake by either side not identifying the exact location of the blue line?
Posted by Badr | August 3, 2010, 2:35 pmNow Nasrallah trying to spin as hard as he can!!! Wow; I have never seen him so incompetent and confused!
If we were to believe him; he will have ANOTHER talk with us…Mou2tamar sa7afi…when he will give us tangible proof that Israel killed Hariri…and we have to believe that he had all these evidence and decided NOT to provide it to the UN investigative committee. Now he thinks it is time! Now how stupid is he? or maybe rightfully so; how stupid are the people od Lebanon?
Posted by danny | August 3, 2010, 2:55 pmDavid.
The rules for foreign media operating in Israel are not as onerous as those applied to Israeli media except during times of combat. They are more restricted during those times and must clear reports with the Israeli military censor. American media orgs are very obedient.
In general, Israeli reporters on military/security beats are subject to military censorship. As a rule, OpEd writers are not so closely scrutinized.
During the 2006 fiasco, I corresponded with Laura Rozen now of Politico. We discussed the extraordinarily constipated reporting by the Israeli media during “Operation Just Reward” as it was markedly different from the usual state of affairs.Unless rocket/missile strikes were in very public places such as happened in Haifa, reporting on the locales was suposed to be verboten as it was considered information that would aid HA rocketeers in assessing the quality of their aim.
But, there was enormous criticism of the media/IDF information officers subsequent to that period and the universal clampdown during the Chanuka War on Gaza was the result. CNN’s Ben Wedeman left Israel to report from the Egyptian border w/ Gaza for as long as he was allowed to do so until the Egyptians moved to restrict the press access.
BTW…Gag orders on the Israeli media often include reporting on the fact that a gag order has been imposed.
Posted by lally | August 3, 2010, 3:02 pmYes, Danny, you’re right. Instead we should be listening to Mohammad Zuhair al-Siddiq, Ibrahim Jarjoura, Hussam Hussam, and Abdel-Basit Bani Awda. That’s the bullet-proof evidence provided to us by the brilliant international investigation team.
Posted by Nour | August 3, 2010, 3:19 pmDanny,
Your reading is spot on. It is criminal of him to have kept the evidence implicating Israel a secret all this time.
This is a face saving PR campaign.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 3:24 pmNour,
Thank you for giving me the names of Syrian mukhabarati agents! You really forgot Rostum Ghazali and Bahjat Suleiman and assaf Shawkat!
You are priceless!!
Posted by danny | August 3, 2010, 3:25 pmOh yes, the Syrian moukhabarati agents that were embraced and protected by the so-called international investigation team and certain foreign powers. They also were tasked by the Syrian moukhabarat to incriminate the Syrians in this assassination, and provide testimony that would arrest four Lebanese officers allied with the Syrians for 4 years. And I guess they realized how stupid the international investigation team was that they would immediately believe whatever they told them. Or maybe they realized the international investigation team had an agenda. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for this circus freak show, called the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, does it?
Posted by Nour | August 3, 2010, 3:29 pmDid Nasrallah really say that he has irrefutable evidence that Israel killed Hariri? Could he have meant anything else that was lost in translation? It seems like a rookie mistake.
Posted by AIG | August 3, 2010, 3:46 pmThere’s a new post up. Let’s move the discussion there…
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 3, 2010, 3:49 pmdanny,
Why are you so enraged and even deranged? Take a pill and sleep for a while.
Here are other names for Syrian moukhabarat:
Jubran Tueni, Boutros Harb, Nayla Mou’awad, etc. etc. If only the Syrians open their books.
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 4:21 pmdanny,
Why are you so enraged and even deranged? Take a pill and sleep for a while.
Here are other names of Syrian moukhabarat:
Jubran Tueni, Boutros Harb, Nayla Mou’awad, etc. etc. If only the Syrians open their books on who used to send them regular reports on this and that.
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 4:22 pmRustom Ghazali knows well who used to send him women to have this or that done or this and that appopinted. And 100% of them are now in the 14 March.
Posted by Lebanon | August 3, 2010, 4:23 pmLebanon #71,
Do you think that we can keep the discussion a little bit more focused than who slept with whom and who pimped for whom?
Posted by Ghassan Karam | August 3, 2010, 4:47 pmIt seems not many know how the border actually looks like. Somebody speaks of a Lebanese border fence. I have never seen one! And the Israeli fence is not the border, it’s a technical fence. The blue line is a series of markings not easily recognizable. Mistakes are easily made. Shepherds have realized this many times over as they unintentionally cross the blue line with their sheep. From the blue line to the Israeli technical fence, all Israeli territory, the distance varies according to the terrain.
Even Lebanese media, like Now Lebanon, get this totally wrong when they speak of a border fence.
Posted by Doc | August 4, 2010, 1:27 amAIG,
Thanks for your response, but I am still wondering how the censor rules work. If you are say the NYTimes with a bureau in Israel, and Israel conducts a raid in Lebanon, can they/will they report it if it is sourced from Lebanon or do they honor the blackouts regardless of where the information comes from?
Thanks.
Posted by david | August 4, 2010, 10:20 amCensorship by Israel: How It’s Carried Out
Published: June 29, 1982
Israeli military censorship applies to foreign newspaper and wire service dispatches transmitted from Israel during both war and peacetime on military and security issues.
Under the rules, which are based on British emergency regulations from 1948, articles on these matters are to be submitted to the censor before they are sent abroad.
Correspondents thus are expected to exercise their own judgment, though those who attempt to send such stories without prior clearance sometimes find that midway through transmission, the censor cuts their telex lines.
Accounts written by reporters in southern Lebanon behind Israeli military lines and brought back to Israel for transmission fall under the rules.
Reports about politics or the economy need not be submitted to censorship, though articles dealing with oil supplies to Israel do.Restrictions during wartime are somewhat stiffer for the Israeli press than for the foreign press.
http://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/29/world/censorship-by-israel-how-it-s-carried-out.html
Posted by Lebanon | August 4, 2010, 10:24 amTheir newspapers are a mouthpiece for the terrorist state. Just as many US newspapers are the mouthpiece of the security apparatus of their country, including the New York times. When you read them on international affairs, it is like reading a propaganda piece from the Pentagone or the CIA.
Posted by Lebanon | August 4, 2010, 10:26 amThere’s a new post up, fellas.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | August 4, 2010, 10:29 amAIG, You keep singing your democracy song about freedom of press in Israel, and how AL Jazzera is allowed to broadcast from Israel while Arab countries don’t allow Israeli media to operate from their countries. First Israel is still an enemy to most Arab countries. I’m not sure how you expect them to allow Israeli media in. Aljazeera is Qatari Network, and Qatar has some kind of relationship with Israel. You should be thankful to that, and pray that won’t change soon. As for the freedom you claim Aljazeera has, You know that there are plenty of restrictions on Aljazeera . Here is good example: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/government-to-impose-sanctions-on-al-jazeera-s-israel-operations-1.267065. We’ve seen so many times how the Aljazeera crew were attacked while they were broadcasting live from Israel, and your security people did nothing . I can show you many clips, if you have any doubts
Posted by Prophet | August 7, 2010, 2:31 pmAIG, Do I need to keep reminding you that your “democracy” is a Jewish democracy, and applied to Jews only. The day a non Jew is allowed to run for prime minister, is the day I agree with you. You need to choose whether you want a democracy or a Jewish state. You can’t have both and claim to have democracy. Sure you can say that Arabs are represented in the Knesset, but we all know ,and have seen how they are stripped of all their rights the minutes they say something your Government does not like.
Posted by Prophet | August 7, 2010, 2:43 pmI can see that AIG is really avoiding this debate, unless He’s at the beach.lol.I respect that too.
Posted by prophet | August 8, 2010, 3:18 pmProphet,
Azmi Bishara ran for prime minster of Israel without any problems. There is an Arab in the Israeli supreme court and there have been quite a few Arab ministers in Israeli cabinets. Nobody strips Arab Knesset members from anything just for voicing their opinions. The Arabs in Israel have more rights, are more free, are better educated and are richer on average than those in the neighboring countries. And if you don’t believe me, just go to Israel and visit the Arab towns and villages.
Just for comparison, which Arab country and town do you come from? Let’s compare the situation in your town to that of the Arabs in Israel. I would really like to know what progress your town has made relative to that of Arab Israelis in the last 60 years. Criticizing is very easy. Israel is not perfect. But let’s put things in perspective by doing actual comparisons. Ok? Or are you afraid of actual comparisons?
Posted by AIG | August 8, 2010, 3:43 pmAIG,
Thanks for responding.
The Israeli Knesset voted for stripping Arab member Haneen Zoabi of several parliamentary rights for her participation in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Have you heard of that? AIG? Unless you don’t follow your own news agencies or politics, then I ‘d forgive you and ask you not to blog anymore.
As for Azmi Bshara, Can you explain to us why isn’t He in Israel? Can you say that He’s won’t be arrested if he went back to Israel? Please check your facts.
You can convince your self and or believe whatever you want, but Israeli records of abuse, and discrimination, and murder, can’t just be erased by your empty claims.
I never claimed that Arab countries have democracy. But I do claim that Lebanese democracy, with all of its flaws, is much more representative of our society. But I did say in my earlier comments , that, the lack of Arab democracy and freedom has been Israel’s best thing. The day Arab countries have democracy, You won’t have Mubarak or King Abdulla to sign a peace agreement with you.
Have you noticed that the smallest and the only Arab country that has some kind of democracy and more freedom than needed is the only country that Israel couldn’t and won’t be able to defeat? So If I were you I’d be happy and pray that Arab countries won’t become democratic. All it would take is two Arab democracies surrounding Israel, and you’re done.
Israel wouldn’t even accept the result of election in occupied Palestinian territories.
If it wasn’t for the occupation of Israel and the constant aggression, We’d be much more prosperous than any other country in the middle east. Even now, south Lebanon is much more prosperous than most in the area.
The bottom line is this, your democracy is only for Jews. Israel has to choose whether it wants to be a civil country with democracy to all citizen ,or a Jewish State. You can’t have both, and you can’t claim both. We’re a Muslim State or a Christian State, nor do we want to.
Posted by prophet | August 8, 2010, 5:39 pmCorection, last sentence: It should say:
We’re not a Muslim sate or a Christian sate,nor do we wwant to be.
Posted by prophet | August 8, 2010, 5:48 pmProphet,
You said an Israeli Arab cannot run for PM. You were wrong. He can. On the other hand in your racist country only a Sunni can be PM. You are an apartheid state in which a Christian vote counts more than a Shia vote. In Israel all votes are equal.
Zoabi was stripped of her rights for an ACTION not for voicing an opinion. Stop your propaganda. Trying to tun your own country’s blockade would have been considered an act of treason in your country and she would have been put in jail or executed. The fact that just a few of her privileges were stripped is a proof of how democratic Israel is.
In Lebanon there is no democracy because the people cannot decide on a very basic thing, whether to go to war or not. That decision is in the hands of Hezballah.
How is Lebanon not defeated? You have a huge debt, not enough electricity and all the time you are on the verge of civil war. Only in your demented mind Lebanon is doing great. You are so afraid, you cannot even risk taking a census like in all civilized countries.
Real democracy in the Arab world, in which governments change peacefully and are accountable to their people is the best thing that could happen to Israel. If there was real democracy in Lebanon, there would not be ANY war between Israel and Lebanon and Hezbollah would not be holding the rest of the Lebanese hostage. There would not be peace, but there would be no war. Any Lebanese government that would take the Lebanese to war without a very good reason would be kicked out in the next elections. That is why Iran and Hezbollah are so afraid of democracy in Lebanon.
Israel is a Jewish state and a democracy. Not only can I claim it, it is a fact.
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2010&country=7845
Posted by AIG | August 8, 2010, 6:17 pmAnd here are Lebanon’s scores which are of course much lower than Israel’s:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=363&year=2010&country=7859
Of course, you know better than freedom house which is a world respected organization and has been doing these rankings for years.
Facts are facts, get used to them.
Posted by AIG | August 8, 2010, 6:21 pmAIG says:
“Israel is a Jewish state”
“How is Lebanon not defeated? You have a huge debt, not enough electricity and all the time you are on the verge of civil war. Only in your demented mind Lebanon is doing great. You are so afraid, you cannot even risk taking a census like in all civilized countries.”
“…in your racist country [Lebanon] only a Sunni can be PM”
Congratulations, AIG. Your attempts at reasoning and arguing the case for Israel culminate in insults. Bravo!
AP, let’s stop complaining that AIG was kicked out of SC. With statements like the ones above interspersed in between the most logical arguments,
Let me be clear.
To your first statement:
Therefore Israel is no better than any other state that declares itself a [religion] state. This includes Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Separation of church and state is a prerequisite for a truly civilized nation.
To your second statement:
Lebanon has its problems. This does not make Lebanon “defeated.” Your wishful thinking does not facts make. The birthing pains of a nation struggling as always to create a democracy within a diverse society are not to be interpreted as defeat. You are kicking a weak state while it struggles with its weakness. This is akin to someone kicking the Jewish people while they were struggling to survive during the horrors of World War II. Don’t start lecturing me. Stop and think.
To your third statement: how dare you use the adjective of “racist?”
He who lives in a house of glass should be the last one to start throwing stones. He who belongs to a religion which is interpreted by a fraction of its adherents that have a strong voice in Israel as making them the chosen people of God who have a God-given right to own certain land (and imply that massacring the local residents is justified to begin to re-establish their nation there) is the last person on earth to start throwing the epithet of “racist” around.
If you were to stick to the objective arguments you make, you would be respected by the silent majority on these blogs. When you drift into insults as you have above, you become no better than any of the idiots on the other side who don’t understand what logic and argumentation mean.
Posted by Honest Patriot | August 8, 2010, 8:11 pmHP,
Again, you jump to unwarranted conclusions.
The Jews are a nation not a religion. I have explained this already several times. Israel is a NATION state, not a religion state.
I did not mean to insult anybody, just give Prophet a rude awakening. If you haven’t noticed, he has been “insulting” Israel in the same way you think I am insulting Lebanon. But when the shoe is on the other foot, you don’t tend to notice.
I am an atheist so all your talk of religion is really besides the point. But apart from that, I have every right to call whomever I wan’t racist whether it be people in Israel (and there are of course racists in Israel) or elsewhere.
I want a prosperous and democratic Lebanon living side by side with Israel. When you are ready to tell people like Prophet to stop criticizing and preaching to Israelis and to look at their own home, maybe we will have a basis for discussion. Until then, you are falling into the same trap.
Posted by AIG | August 8, 2010, 9:23 pmJust for comparison, which Arab country and town do you come from? Let’s compare the situation in your town to that of the Arabs in Israel.
Just so the forum knows, Prophet side-stepped AIG’s challenge.
Anyone surprised?
The Arabs love to criticize Israel for the exact same things the Arabs are worse at.
I’m so Qunfuzed.
Posted by Akbar Palace | August 8, 2010, 10:17 pmAP,
I know you meant that some Arabs love to criticize Israel as you have already shown appreciation for GK’s positions. It is certainly not true as a generalization.
Posted by AIG | August 8, 2010, 11:36 pm